EC to hold talks with parties on manifestos

The Election Commission (EC) will soon start a consultation process with all the political parties on the issue of framing guidelines for manifestos.

The Supreme Court had recently asked the commission to frame the guidelines on how political parties should come out with manifestos.

The court had taken a grim view of the parties announcing freebies in their manifestos which can disturb the level-playing electoral field.

“The date for such a meeting will be fixed soon,” an election commission statement said, adding that it has already sent a copy of the judgment to the recognised parties for their information and firming up of their views.

The commission will also be circulating a background paper on the issue with the political parties and other stakeholders.

“In preparation for this, the Commission has started making efforts to compile available views and practices in this subject both nationally and internationally,” the statement said.